Packaging device



Oct. 13,v 1964 T. J. KILLEE PACKAGING DEVICE Filed May 22. 1961 INVENTOR THOMAS J. \L EEN IIN United States Patent Oice 3,152,439 VPatented Oct. 13, 1964 3,152,430 PACKAGING DEVICE Thomas I. Killeen, Ramsey, NJ., assigner to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, NX., a corporation of New York Filed May 22, 1961, Ser. No. Il1,687 2 Claims. (Cl. 453-255) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in packaging devices, and more particularly to a novel bin type packaging device into which articles to be folded and packaged are placed for folding in order to facilitate the folding thereof to the desired size for the intended container.

In the past, it has been customary to provide a bin f a desired size as a guide for a person packaging articles to be used in the folding of the articles to the desired size for reception in the intended container. However, these bins have all been of the size for one particular article or container and have not been acceptable for use by a person who may be packaging a large number of different articles in containers of different sizes. It is also not feasible to provide a single packager with a plurality of bins both because of space limitations and the necessity of determining in advance which of the bins should be used.

In View of the foregoing deficiencies of existing devices, it is the primary lobject of this invention to provide a simple bin type packaging device which is of a construction wherein the single packaging device may be used as a guide in facilitating the folding of numerous articles to different sizes for reception in different containers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packaging device for facilitating the folding of articles to the desired shape and size for reception within a predetermined container, the packaging device being in the form of a simple bin including a bottom and an upstanding side wall, and at least a portion of the bottom being omitted to define guide means for use in determining the size to which an article is to be folded for insertion into a container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel packaging device in the form of a bin for receiving an anticle to be packaged, the bin being intended to function as a guide as to the size to which the article is to be folded for packaging, the bin being of the customary outline and including a bottom, two upstanding side walls and a rear wall, and the bottom being provided with a plurality of slits disposed parallel to the side walls and opening through the bottom edge remote from the rear wall, the slits being progressively spaced from one of the side walls and being progressively increasing in length whereby the slits, together with the :one side wall, define generally rectangular areas of different dimensions, the rectangular areas corresponding to the general outline of a container in which the article is to be packaged.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel packaging device for facilitating the folding of an article to the outline of an intended container to facilitate the insertion of the folded article within the container, the packaging device being in the form of a simple bin and the bottom of the bin having an area thereof removed with the removed area extending rearwardly from the leading edge of the bottom of the bin and having a zigzag rear boundary, the rear boundary of the removed area including portions disposed parallel to the rear of the bin and other portions disposed parallel to a side of the bin, with Ithe zig-zags being generally step-like progressively away from the one side of the bin and towards the rear of the bin, whereby there is dened in the bottom 0f the bin numerous different areas corresponding to different container sizes wherein the bin may be readily utilized as a guide for folding articles to different outlines in accordance with the containers in which the articles are to be packaged.

Still another object of this invention is -to provide a novel packaging device for facilitating the folding fof numerous diderent articles to different outlines receivable in containers of different sizes, the packaging device being in the form of a bin of a construction wherein suitable outline means are provided on the bin to indicate the sizes and shapes to which various articles should be folded for proper packaging within containers of predetermined sizes, and the bin being of a construction wherein the articles may either be completely folded within the bin and then placed within the container, or the article may be completely folded within the bin and while remaining in the bin, the appropriate container may be slid over that portion of the bin carrying the article to facili-tate the insention of the article within the container.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several Views illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:

FIGURE l is a perspective View of one form of the invention and shows the same ready for receiving an article to be folded.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the packaging device of FIG- URE l and shows more specifically the details of the article receiving bin.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of another form of the packaging device.

FIGURE 4 is a plan View of the packaging device of FiGURE 3, and more specifically sets forth the details of the removed area of the bottom of the bin of the packaging device, and shows schematically the four different package sizes for which articles may be folded within the bin.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the packaging device of FIGURE 3, and shows the same provided with means for holding a folded article in a compressed state with the article being retained by the holding means and a container being in the process of being slid over the folded article.

With reference to the drawings in detail, attention is iirst directed to the form of packaging device illustrated in FIGURES l and 2. The packaging device is generally referred to by the numeral ltl and is mounted on a suitable support ll. The packaging device 10 includes a bin which is generally rectangular in outline, fthe bin being generally referred to by the numeral 12.

The bin l2 may be formed of any desirable material, such as inexpensive sheet metal. The bin l2 includes a bottom 13, a pair of upstanding side walls 1d, 1S, and a rear wall le. The walls 14, l5 and 16 extend upwardly along the peripheral edges of the bottom 13 and are suitably joined together.

The bin l2 may be mounted on the support 11 in any desired manner, although if the article to be packaged is to be placed within the container by sliding the container over the folded article while the article remains in the bin, it is necessary that the bin 12 be mounted in a raised position with respect to the support 1l, as is best shown in FGURES 1 and 2. In order to illustrate an example support for the bin 12, a Z-shaped support bracket 17 has been shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The support bracket 17 has the lower end thereof suitably secured to the support ll and the upper end thereof secured to the bin l2. The upper part of the support bracket 17 is illustrated as underlying and being directly secured to the bottom 13 of the bin i2. However, if desired, the support bracket 17, in lieu of being Z-shaped, could be L-shaped and secured tothe rear wall 16 of the bin l2.

The packaging device It) also includes a suitable combined article pressing and holding device, generally referred to by the numeral i8. The example form of the device 1S illustrated in FIGURE 1 includes a mounting bracket i9 suitably secured to the support lll. A bearing member 29 is secured to the mounting bracket l? and a rod member 2l is suitably journaled in the bearing member 2li. The rod member 2l has a plurality of elongated lingers 22 extending therefrom generally normal to the rod member 21. The rod member 21 has a rearwardly offset portion 23 to the right of the bearing member 2d. A combined handle and counterweight 24 is mounted on the end of the offset portion 23. The fingers 22 are normally held in upright retracted positions by the counterweight 24, and a suitable stop member 25 is provided for engagement by the offset portion 23 to hold the fingers 22 in the position illustrated in FIGURE l.

When utilizing the device i8, the handle 24 is moved in a generally counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE l, at which time the lingers 22 swing down into overlying relation with respect to the bottom i3 of the bin l2 so as to compress a folded article (not shown) resting upon the bottom I3. The article is now suliiciently compressed to facilitate the insertion thereof within a container.

Heretofore, the bin has been made of the size and shape of the container in which the article to be folded is to be packaged. Thus, the bin has been limited to the reception of a single type of article. However, in accordance with the invention, the bin l2 is provided with a plurality of individual slits 26, 27 and 2li. Each of these slits 26, 27 and 2S is disposed parallel to the side walls 14, 2.5 and opens through the end of the bottom i3 remote from the rear wall 16. In addition, it is to be noted that the length of the slits 26, 27 and 28 progressively increases, whereby the slit 26 is the shortest and the slit 28 is the longest. Each of the slits 26, 27 and 28 has a dual func-v tion. Considering the slit 26, for example, it will be seen that the slit 26, together with the side wall f4, defines an article folding area of a length equal to the length of the slit 26 and of a Width equal to the spacing between the slit 26 and the side wall 14. This provides a clear outline for the packager utilizing the packaging device ll@ to facilitate the folding of an article to this particular size and shape. In addition, if it is desired to place the article within a container (not shown) by sliding the container over the article while it remains within the bin l2, one edge of the container may pass through the slit 26 and the container be telescoped over the article, a portion of the bottom 13, a portion of the side wall 14, and such of the fingers 22 which may be in engagement with the article.

It will be readily apparent that the slits 27 and 23, together with the side wall 14, define additional sizes and shapes of areas for the folding of different articles to be received in different sized containers. In addition, the over-all bin 12 may define a final container size to which an article may be folded. It is to be understood at this time that the number of slits formed in the bottom 13 may vary and are not restricted to three, as illustrated.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawing wherein a second form of packaging device, generally referred to by the numeral 3l), is illustrated. The packaging device 3) is mounted on a suitable support 31 and includes a bin, generally referred to by the numeral 32. The bin 32 is generally rectangular in outline, and includes a bottom 33, a pair of upstanding side walls 34, 35 disposed along opposite edges of the bottom 33, and a rear wall 36 extending between the side walls 34, 35 and extending upwardly along the rear edge of the bottom 33. A suitable support bracket 37 is provided on the rear l part of the bin 32 and is secured to the support 31 for the purpose of supporting the bin 32 in an elevated position with respect to the support 31.

The bottom 33 has a removed area 38 which opens through the forward or leading edge of the bottom 33. The removed area 33 is, in part, defined by two boundaries 39, 40 which are disposed in parallel relation and which are parallel to the side walls 34, 35. In addition, the removed area 38 is defined by a zig-zag rear boundary 4l.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 in particular, it will be seen that the rear boundary 4l includes a first portion 42, which is disposed parallel to the rear wall 36 and extends from the boundary 39 towards the side wall 35. The second boundary portion 43 extends from the boundary portion 42 towards the rear wall 36 and parallel to the side walls 3d, 35. A third boundary portion 44 is disposed parallel to the boundary portion 42 and extends towards the side wall 35. A fourth boundary portion 45 extends parallel to the boundary portion 43, but is offset towards the side wall 35 from the boundary portion 43. A fifth boundary portion 46 extends parallel to the rear wall 36 between the boundary portion 45 and the rear end of the boundary 40.

In FIGURE 4, the various package sizes are shown in phantom lines. it is to be noted that the first package A size extends, for example, from the leading edge of the bottom 33 to a point generally in alignment with the boundary portion 42 along the boundary 39, and then across to the side wall 34. The package B is of a slightly larger generally rectangular area, while the package C is of a still slightly larger generally rectangular area. The package D corresponds generally to the entire bin 32.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 5 in particular, wherein the packaging device 3l) is illustrated as also including a combined article pressing and holding device, generally referred to by the numeral 48. The device 48 is identical with the device 18 and will not be specifically described here.

It is to be noted that in FIGURE 5, a folded shirt 49 is positioned within the bin 32 within the area generally defined as package A in FIGURE 4. The shirt 49 is held down by the lingers of the device 43, with the device 48 being held in place by the weighted handle thereof. A carton 50 is illustrated as being partially telescoped over the portion of the bin 32 defined in FIGURE 4 as package A and has received ends of certain of the fingers of the device 48, as well as a portion of the shirt 49. It is to be understood that the carton 50 may be fully telescoped over the shirt 49, after which it may be withdrawn with the shirt therein. The carton 5) is then closed and the shirt 49 is ready for shipment.

Although a carton 5l? has been illustrated in use in conjunction with this invention, it is to be understood that paper bags and the like can be used equally as well with the two illustrated forms of the invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to instances where the carton is telescoped over the article while the article is within the confines of its respective bin. If desired, the bin means may be utilized solely for the purpose of folding articles to proper dimensions, after which the articles may be lifted out of the bins and placed in their respective containers. For example, if a suit is to be placed in a suit box, the suit could be folded within the respective area of a particular bin, after which the suit would be bodily lifted from the bin and seated in the lower half of the suit box.

It will be readily apparent that the present invention provides means for the folding of numerous articles to proper package sizes. Thus, the invention permits a single packaging device to accomplish what heretofore required a multiple of packaging devices, for which there was no room. Through the use of the present invention, a single packager may package different articles which may come down a packaging line and in each instance may properly fold the article to t Within a container of economical dimensions.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provision has been made for carrying out the desired end. However, attention is again directed to the fact that variations may be made in the example apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A packaging device for facilitating the folding of an article to an outline receivable in a container of a predetermined size, said packaging device comprising a bin having at least a bottom with a leading edge, at least one upstanding side Wall disposed substantially normal to said leading edge, a portion of said bottom being omitted to define guide means for use in determining the size to which an article is to be folded for insertion into a container, said guide means having a rear boundary including surfaces staggered longitudinally and transversely of said leading edge to dene article fold areas of progressively increasing widths and lengths corresponding to various sized containers, and article ilattening means associated with said bin for flattening folded articles disposed within said bin to facilitate the insertion of an article into a 25 2,943,336

container.

2. A packaging device for facilitating the folding of an article to an outline receivable in a container of a predetermined size, said packaging device comprising a bin having at least a bottom Wall with a leading edge, at least one upstanding sidewall disposed substantially normal to said leading edge, a slit in said bottom Wall spaced from said side wall, said slit having staggered longitudinal and transverse wall portions, said slit opening through said leading edge, said longitudinal wall portions being of different lengths whereby each transverse Wall portion and the side wall define article fold areas of diverse widths and lengths corresponding to the diverse widths and lengths of various sized containers and including article flattening means associated with said bin for flattening folded articles disposed within said bin to facilitate the insertion of an article into a container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 233,512 Howe Oct. 19, 1880 1,320,335 Marx Oct. 2S, 1919 2,742,748 Kohl Apr. 24, 1956 Barrett et al. July 5, 1960 

1. A PACKAGING DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE FOLDING OF AN ARTICLE TO AN OUTLINE RECEIVABLE IN A CONTAINER OF A PREDETERMINED SIZE, SAID PACKAGING DEVICE COMPRISING A BIN HAVING AT LEAST A BOTTOM WITH A LEADING EDGE, AT LEAST ONE UPSTANDING SIDE WALL DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID LEADING EDGE, A PORTION OF SAID BOTTOM BEING OMITTED TO DEFINE GUIDE MEANS FOR USE IN DETERMINING THE SIZE TO WHICH AN ARTICLE IS TO BE FOLDED FOR INSERTION INTO A CONTAINER, SAID GUIDE MEANS HAVING A REAR BOUNDARY INCLUDING SURFACES STAGGERED LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID LEADING EDGE TO DEFINE ARTICLE FOLD AREAS OF PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING WIDTHS AND LENGTHS CORRESPONDING TO VARIOUS SIZED CONTAINERS, AND ARTICLE FLATTENING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BIN FOR FLATTENING FOLDED ARTICLES DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BIN TO FACILITATE THE INSERTION OF AN ARTICLE INTO A CONTAINER. 